Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's New Year's Address on the 1st of January 2026

Check against delivery.

 

Good evening.

I have now been your Prime Minister for more than six years.

First and foremost, it has been an honour.

And later this year, when we hold elections, it may turn out that this New Year’s Address was my last.

Allow me therefore to speak a little more directly this evening. Both politically and personally.

* * *

I became a Social Democrat because I am committed to social justice.

I became Prime Minister because I believe that we can make this country even better.

I have done my best to achieve that.

Meanwhile, the times turned out very differently from what I had imagined.

First, COVID. Then war in Europe. Now, once again, the conflict over Greenland – over the Kingdom of Denmark.

I believe that these crises have shaped us all.

Including myself.

They have made me tougher. Not within. But in the debates. I can see the change myself in photographs.

Some of the criticism of me is justified. And I take that criticism on board.

I have been focused on ensuring that, together, we guide Denmark and Europe through a difficult time.

But along the way, I have not always listened carefully to everyone. To you.

We have not done enough about the high food prices.

We have not done enough about the rising inequality.

And we have not done enough for the children who are not thriving.

This must change. And it is my responsibility.

* * *

So first, to all of you parents and grandparents who are watching tonight.

We probably all know a child or a young person who is not doing well.

A child whose childhood is burdened by anxiety, school absences, poor well-being, or a lack of belief in themselves and in life.

Most children and young people in Denmark live good and happy lives. They see a world that is new to their eyes. They have dreams and hopes for the future.

Yet there are far too many children and families fighting against the darkness. Either in their mental well-being. Or in their experience of fighting against the system.

Because many feel that they are on their own in a difficult situation.

Mum and dad go to work bravely. You do your best. But the doubts persist. Are they going to call from school again?

A teenager who is home alone. Without physical contact with others. Arguments about screen time, social media, and mobile phones. Failed attempts at inclusion in the municipal schools.

You are under great pressure.

And as a society, we must make a stronger collective effort to tackle this challenge.

We are changing primary and lower secondary school. We are strengthening psychiatric care. More young people now have a spare-time job.

There is no simple solution. And each of us has a responsibility.

But there are some who are currently stealing the childhood from our children.

The big tech companies.

They must be regulated more strictly.

And the owners of social media?

They have made millions and billions at the expense of other people. Especially our children.

It is about time that they begin paying back. So that their enormous fortunes are also invested in the well-being of children and young people. Not just in Denmark, but throughout Europe.

I will take the lead in the efforts to make this happen.

* * *

I was born in the 1970s.

It was a time without mobile phones and social media. But unemployment was high, and the economy was poor.

It was back then that John Mogensen sang that something is wrong in Denmark.

“As long as your wallet is full, you can get what you want.”

I wonder what he would have said if he had been alive today.

Because even though Denmark is both a richer and better country. And even though we live longer and far more people have received good schooling and education. Inequality has increased.

This is a trend that I, as Prime Minister, have attempted to turn around.

We have introduced the right to early retirement pension for those of you who have had the longest and hardest working lives. Given a pay raise to you – especially in professions with a predominance of women – who work with children, the elderly, and the sick.

We have increased the elderly cheque. Made the unemployment benefit system more supportive for Danish employees. Helped people move from social assistance into work. Fought against housing speculators. Invested more in our common welfare.

But we have not done enough.

There is something wrong when families with ordinary incomes have difficulty finding an affordable flat in Copenhagen. While in other parts of the country, it is hard to secure a loan for a single-family home.

There is something wrong when some have become rich, just by living in the right area. While others have a hard time making enough money to buy groceries in the supermarket.

And something is wrong when some are able to retire at a young age. While most others can just watch as the retirement age rises and rises.

I do not think that everyone should be the same.

But in my opinion, Denmark is too small for big differences.

Also when it comes to health.

It has long been the case that there are fewest doctors in the parts of Denmark with most sick people. It should be the other way around. And we are going to change this. Now more doctors are coming to Lolland and Vendsyssel.

Those of you who live with a chronic illness. COPD. Diabetes. Those of you who are heart patients. You can look forward to more coherent treatment. Now it is your turn for patient rights.

And when it comes to cancer. There is more support on the way for those of you who have survived the disease but are now struggling with its aftereffects. 

Do you remember a couple of years ago?

There were long waiting times at the hospitals, and there was a shortage of both midwives and nurses.

We have done something about that.

But one of the areas where help is still lagging is for those who live with one of the most vicious diseases of them all.

Dementia.

First, you begin forgetting. Then your behaviour changes. In the end, you are unrecognisable.

Being close to a person who disappears before your eyes. It is unbearable.

“I’m allowed to have the memories,” Liva Weel sings so beautifully.

But this offers little comfort to those of you who are close to someone with dementia.

Medical science cannot yet cure dementia. But we must improve early detection of the disease. Improve prevention and treatment. And improve our ability to see the person who is still there behind the disease. And we can provide more help and support to family members.

All of this is part of the National Action Plan on Dementia that the Government will present in the new year.

We are also establishing the first national research centre for women’s health.

Because, unfortunately, women’s diseases have been under-prioritised for far too many years.

We are now changing that.

And we are going to look at how we can better help those of you who are struggling with discomfort or injuries after childbirth.

I believe that a somewhat old-fashioned attitude has been predominant in our society: That we women should just grit our teeth and pop a couple of painkillers.

Postnatal injuries must be taken seriously and treated. That should go without saying.

* * *

Politics can still make a difference.

Even when a strange government is in charge.

I do not regret that three years ago we formed a government across the middle.

In a world marked by division and unrest, we here at home chose to cooperate.

It has not benefitted us as parties.

But I have no doubt that it has served Denmark well.

And I urge the parties in Parliament not to allow themselves to drift too far apart.

Not least when it comes to food prices.

We cannot control the prices of global commodities. But we can alleviate some of the consequences.

Take a closer look at your next pay cheque. Or your electricity bill, where the tax has been reduced to nearly zero.

Thanks to good collective agreements. The pay increase for many welfare workers. Rising pensions. And tax cuts that, among others, benefit single parents.

The vast majority of Danes will have more money available this year, even after buying groceries for dinner or the children’s packed lunches.

But grocery shopping is still far too expensive. And it especially affects those of you with little money to spend.

I said earlier that we have not done enough about high food prices.

We are doing something now.

The Government will propose the introduction of a “food cheque” this year. Among others, for you pensioners who do not have vast fortunes in the bank. Those of you who are unemployed. And for low-income families with children.

A direct cash payment.

It will give you more financial room when shopping for groceries. But it will not bring the prices down.

Therefore, the Government’s economic plan, which will be presented in the new year, will also provide funding to lower VAT.

Either to make food in general a bit cheaper, or to remove VAT on fruit and vegetables altogether.

We will now begin negotiations with the parties in Parliament.

* * *

Before long, the Government will also present a comprehensive expulsion reform. It will ensure that even more criminal foreigners are expelled from Denmark.

But first, let me say this:

To those of you who have embraced Denmark. And who we need in our society.

You can be a Dane even if your favourite food is not frikadeller. Or mackerel on rye bread, for that matter.

We Danes do not all look the same. And we are not supposed to either. But we must be willing to engage in each other.

And in Denmark, when democracy and religion collide, it is God who must yield.

Therefore, to the people who have come here and commit crimes:

You should not be here.

We don’t want your reckless driving and culture of dominance.

You are ruining the world’s most wonderful country. And you must not be allowed to do that.

No one can understand why an Iraqi man convicted of brutally assaulting a helpless person with a golf club cannot be expelled.

Or why a previously convicted man from Kosovo, who was sentenced for having abused his children and spouse through several years, can be allowed to remain here.

The Government therefore proposes that foreigners must be expelled if they commit serious crime and are sentenced to at least one year in prison. Regardless of what ties they have with Denmark.

Thereby, it will be the clear starting point that a conviction for rape, aggravated assault, or other serious crime means that your stay in Denmark is over.

Thanks to a strict Danish immigration policy – where we go to the limit of the international conventions – we already expel many foreign criminals.

The reason why we can now go even further is that before Christmas, Denmark – together with Italy – succeeded in gathering support from 27 countries for a new interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Now, first and foremost, it will be the populations – and the victims – who are protected. And not the perpetrator.

Rather than waiting years for this to be reflected in case law, we are taking the lead and will pass legislation before the summer. 

* * *

My address tonight has not been about foreign policy.

It could have been.

But you know my position. You know where I – and where the Government – stand.

We are well underway with strengthening Denmark’s defence and preparedness.

Never before have we undertaken such a significant military build-up with such speed. And we continue our support for Ukraine.

To some, this may seem like a distant conflict.

But it is all connected.

If we allow one country to fall. Then the road is paved for Russia to move further into Europe.

We are also strengthening security in the Arctic.

The Kingdom of Denmark is vast in geography. Small in terms of populations.

In the past year, we have had to listen to a great deal.

Threats. Pressure. Condescending speech. From our closest ally for generations.

About wanting to take over another country, another people. As if it were something you could buy and own.

This is entirely unacceptable.

We shoulder our responsibility in the world. We are not looking for any conflict.

But let there be no doubt: No matter what happens. We stand firm on what is right and wrong. 

* * *

I understand if you are entering the new year without much optimism for the world.

Hope is hard to find in these times.

But maybe we do not really have to look that far.

Perhaps it is right here?

In our care for each other.

In our trust in others.

In our Danish way of doing things.

Maybe we should believe in ourselves a little more. And in the values on which we have built Denmark. Where few have too much and fewer have too little.

And maybe it is especially in the difficult times that we need to rediscover our faith that tomorrow will be better than today.

I will do my best to do just that.

Happy New Year!